Click here to see the FAN Shows Up page for 2024.
Click here to see the FAN Shows Up page for 2023.
An important part of advocacy for social justice is attending and planning actions. These visible events help our lawmakers in Washington, D.C. and around the country clearly see what issues are important to everyday people and the great numbers of us with Franciscan values.
The staff of FAN regularly participates in many kinds of advocacy actions. We also want to hear about and uplift what you’ve been doing in your community. Click here to let us know what actions you have participated in.
As being a Franciscan presence in the public arena is part of our mission, here is what we’ve attended so far this year:
March 2025
March 11: ICC Vigil and Meetings with Senators
On Tuesday, March 11, several members of FAN’s staff and community participated in the Interfaith Immigration Coalition’s Vigil and Day of Action. After taking time to pray and hear testimony from different leaders, including Br. Ken Taylor, OLF, they met with the staff of Senators Kaine (VA), McCormick (PA), Fetterman (PA), Gallego (PA), and Collins (ME).
March 12-15: Commission on the Status of Women
Eileen DeGuire and Rosie Davila attended the Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, invited by Franciscans International. They had the opportunity to learn from women around the world who are leading efforts in conflict resolution, immigrant justice, and more. While at the UN CSW, Eileen recorded a podcast episode of Walk Talk Listen with Maurice Bloem, where she discussed the importance of faith-based work in today’s climate and being a young advocate.
March 5: Ash Wednesday Events
On March 5, Franciscan Action Network D.C. staff attended three actions in support of maintaining social welfare programs in budget with Pax Christi USA, Sojourners, and Poor People’s Campaign.
See more photos from the Pax Christi service here.
Click here to watch the Instagram livestream of the Pax Christi Service.
Click here to read about the Poor People’s Campaign Event.
Click here to read about the Sojourners event and click here for more pictures.
March 3: Faith in Action Interfaith Vigil & Day of Action on Immigration
Sr. Marie & Eileen participated in a Faith in Action Interfaith Vigil & Day of Action on Immigration. There were representatives of many different faith traditions that came together to show their opposition to pulling funding from social welfare programs to detain and deport people. After the vigil, they and others went to the Hill & met with staff from Senator Tammy Baldwin’s office to share their concerns.
February 2025
February 22: Muslim-Catholic Dialogue
Sisters Marie Lucey, OSF, Associate Director, and Maria Orlandini, OSF, Director of Advocacy, attended the Muslim-Catholic Dialogue at the Muslim Community Center in Silver Spring, MD, on February 22, 2025.
January 2025
January 24: March for Life
Franciscan Action Network Executive Director Michele Dunne attended the March for Life, reaffirming FAN’s commitment to a consistent ethic of life. FAN upholds the dignity of all life, advocating for justice across a range of life issues, from abortion to poverty, war, and the death penalty.
January 5: Faith in Democracy
FAN’s DC staff joined our annual Faith in Democracy Interfaith Prayer Vigil. Faith leaders shared sacred texts on justice and nonviolence, emphasizing the need for a fully representative democracy. The evening closed with prayer and music by the Washington Douglass Chorale.